Garment with magnetically attachable accessories

ABSTRACT

A garment with a magnetically attachable garment accessory, including at least one magnet permanently affixed to the garment and at least one magnetic attachment body affixed to the garment accessory, the magnet capable of magnetically attaching to the attachment body. The garment and garment accessory can have a second set of complementary magnetic attachment elements, enabling the garment accessory to attach to the garment at two positions, thus spanning a portion of the garment. Because the garment accessory is readily detachable from the garment, the garment can easily be stylistically varied in innumerable ways.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of garments and garment accessories. More specifically, the invention relates to a garment with magnetically attachable accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art to attach decorative and functional articles to garments using a variety of attachment methods. Several of these attachment methods use magnets to achieve this goal. Nearly all of these magnetic attachment methods expose large surfaces of the magnets during use, making the garments unsightly and exposing the magnets to corrosive elements. To prevent this exposure, one known solution is to enclose the magnet in the following fashion: 1) the magnet is glued onto a support layer of fabric, and 2) a cover layer is placed over the magnet and adheres onto the support layer. Conversely, the art also teaches that if the cover layer is adhesive, then there is no need to glue the magnet onto the support layer. In either solution, one and only one adhesive layer must be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide an efficient method of attaching a magnet onto a garment and concealing the magnet. A second object of the invention is to provide a method of aligning garment accessories in the right direction relative to the garment. A third object of the invention is to provide support for hanging garment accessories. A fourth object of the invention is to provide a garment with interchangeable accessories that span a portion of the garment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a garment is turned inside out to reveal the interior of the garment. A first adhesive layer is applied either to one side of the magnet or to a desired spot on interior side of the garment. The magnet is then attached onto the desired spot. A second adhesive layer is used to attach the magnet to a cover patch. This second adhesive layer can be applied first to either the magnet or to the cover patch. There are several advantages to using two separate adhesive layers. First, the present invention allows for division of labor in manufacturing. The process of attaching the magnet to the garment can be wholly separate from the process of covering the magnet. This can streamline the manufacturing process and reduce costs. Second, the cover patch need only be the same size as the exposed surface of the magnet, thus reducing the amount of fabric needed to cover the magnet. To prevent unintentional interactions with magnetic materials, one skilled in the art can design magnet covers such that the magnet only interacts on one functional or joining face.

Using the magnet assembly process above, garment accessories are also embedded with an attachment body constituting a magnet or magnetic materials, enabling the garment accessories to magnetically attract and fasten to the magnet in the garment. When a magnet is used as the attachment body, the magnetic charge or polarity in the joining face of the garment accessory magnet must be opposite that of the complementary joining face of the garment magnet in order for the magnets to magnetically attract. Thus, only one face of the garment accessory magnet is capable of magnetically attracting to the joining face of the garment magnet. This first type of garment accessory is particularly useful where only one side of the garment accessory is intended to be displayed.

When the garment accessory is embedded with non-charged magnetic materials such as iron and other ferrites, multiple sides of the garment accessory can be capable of magnetically attaching to the garment magnet. This second type of garment accessory is particularly useful where multiple sides of the garment accessory are intended be displayed. This second type of garment accessory also includes, for example, necklaces and chains that contain ferromagnetic materials.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, a garment is turned inside out to reveal the interior of the garment. A magnet is placed onto a desired spot on the interior side of the garment. A cover layer is placed on top of the magnet. The cover layer is sewn to the garment around the magnet, thus enveloping and securing the magnet onto the garment in the proper position. Like the first embodiment, this process is repeated to embed an attachment body to a garment accessory, thus enabling the garment accessory to magnetically attract and fasten to the magnet in the garment.

In a third preferred embodiment of the invention, a magnet is glued onto and between two cover layers. The cover layers can be glued together to completely envelop the magnet, creating a pillow-type magnet envelope. This magnet envelope is then glued onto the garment at a desired spot on the garment. As with the previous embodiments, this process is repeated to embed an attachment body to a garment accessory, thus enabling the garment accessory to magnetically attract and fasten to the magnet envelope in the garment.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, a magnet is placed between two cover layers. The cover layers are sewn together to envelop the magnet, creating a pillow-type magnet envelope. This magnet envelope is then sewn onto the garment at a desired spot on the garment. As with the previous embodiments, this process is repeated to embed an attachment body to a garment accessory, thus enabling the garment accessory to magnetically attract and fasten to the magnet envelope in the garment.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that various features of the above embodiments can be combined to form customized solutions as appropriate. For example, a pouch-type magnet envelope rather than a pillow-type magnet envelope can be created by completely enveloping a magnet with a single cover layer. Also, the magnet and cover layers can be secured using methods other than glue or sewing. Clips, pins, and VELCRO are well known in the art as alternative methods of securing objects.

A fifth preferred embodiment of the invention is a converse of the first four preferred embodiments. In this embodiment of the invention, the garment accessory is embedded with a magnet while the garment is embedded with an attachment body.

A sixth preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes multiple sets of magnets and attachment bodies. In this embodiment, the garment provides multiple sites for the garment accessories to attach. The attachment sites on the garment supply support for garment accessories that span a portion or the length of the garment.

The above and other novel features of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a cover layer covering a magnet that is attached to a support layer (i.e., a layer of a garment or a layer of a garment accessory).

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a magnet glued to a support layer, and a cover layer glued to both the magnet and the support layer.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a magnet glued to a support layer, a cover layer glued to the magnet, and the cover layer enveloping the magnet.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a magnet glued to a support layer, a cover layer glued to the magnet, and the cover layer covering only one face of the magnet.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a magnet glued onto and between two cover layers to create a pillow-type magnet envelope, with the magnet envelope glued onto a support layer.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing two cover layers sewn together to envelop a magnet to create a pillow-type magnet envelope, with the magnet envelope sewn onto a support layer.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a magnet glued onto a cover layer, the cover layer sewn unto itself to envelop the magnet to create a pouch-type magnet envelope, with the magnet envelope sewn onto a support layer.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a cover layer sewn to a support layer and the two layers enveloping a magnet.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a garment and two garment accessories in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing multiple garment accessories attached to the garment at different attachment sites.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a garment and multiple garment accessories in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing multiple garment accessories attached to the garment at the same attachment sites.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a garment and a garment accessory in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the garment accessory attached to the garment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a garment and a garment accessory in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the garment accessory draped onto the back of the garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is for a garment capable of magnetically attaching garment accessories. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which like elements are denoted with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a cover layer 11 covers a magnet 30 that is attached to a support layer 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a magnet 30 is glued to a support layer 10 by a first adhesive layer 20. A cover layer 11 is glued to the magnet 30 by a second adhesive layer 21 and separately glued to the support layer 10 by the first adhesive layer 20.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a magnet 30 is glued to a support layer 10 by a first adhesive layer 20. A cover layer 11 is glued to the magnet 30 by a second adhesive layer 21. The cover layer 11 is molded to enclose the magnet 30. The exposed edges of the cover layer 11 can be sewn to the support layer 10 by threads 40.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a magnet 30 is glued to a support layer 10 by a first adhesive layer 20. A cover layer 11 is glued to the magnet 30 by a second adhesive layer 21. The cover layer 11 covers only one face of the magnet 30.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a magnet 30 is glued onto and between two cover layers 11 by adhesive layers 21. One of the cover layers 11 is attached to a support layer 10 by a support adhesive layer 20.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, two cover layers 11 are sewn together by threads 41 to envelop a magnet 30. The cover layers are sewn onto the support layer 10 by support threads 42.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a magnet 30 is glued onto a cover layer 11 by an adhesive layer 21. The cover layer 11 is sewn unto itself by threads 41 to envelop the magnet 30. The cover layer 11 is also sewn onto the support layer 10 by support threads 42.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a cover layer 11 is sewn to a support layer 10 by threads 40. A magnet 30 is enveloped between the cover layer 11 and the support layer 10.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a garment and two garment accessories in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, multiple garment accessories 100 can be attached to the garment 101 at different attachment sites 110.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a garment and multiple garment accessories in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, multiple garment accessories 100 can be attached to the garment 101 at the same attachment sites 110.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a garment and a garment accessory in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the garment accessory 100 can be attached to the garment 100 at multiple attachment sites 110.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a garment and a garment accessory in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the garment accessory 100 can be draped onto the back of the garment 101.

The invention has been described with reference to several different preferred and alternative embodiments and it is understood that any modifications thereto or alternate combinations thereof which would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed. Therefore, the aforementioned descriptions are in no way intended to limit the breadth or scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter. 

1. A garment with a detachable accessory, comprising: a first magnet enveloped by at least one first magnet cover layer; the first magnet cover layer secured onto the garment; a first attachment body secured onto the detachable accessory; and, the first attachment body capable of being magnetically attached to the first magnet.
 2. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 1 wherein the first attachment body is made of charged magnetic materials.
 3. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 2 wherein the first magnet is secured within a first magnet envelope by sewing at least one first magnet cover layer around the edge of the first magnet, and the first magnet envelope is sewn onto the garment.
 4. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 2 wherein the first attachment body is enveloped by at least one first attachment body cover layer, and the first attachment body cover layer is secured onto the detachable accessory.
 5. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 4 wherein the first magnet is secured within a first magnet envelope by sewing at least one first magnet cover layer around the edge of the first magnet, the first magnet envelope is sewn onto the garment, the first attachment body is secured within a first attachment body envelope by sewing at least one first attachment body cover layer around the edge of the first attachment body, and the first attachment body envelope is sewn onto the detachable accessory.
 6. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 1, further comprising: a second magnet enveloped by at least one second magnet cover layer; the second magnet cover layer secured onto the garment; a second attachment body secured onto the detachable accessory; and, the second attachment body capable of being magnetically attached to the second magnet.
 7. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 6 wherein the first attachment body and the second attachment body are made of charged magnetic materials.
 8. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 7 wherein the first magnet is secured within a first magnet envelope by sewing at least one first magnet cover layer around the edge of the first magnet, the first magnet envelope is sewn onto the garment, the second magnet is secured within a second magnet envelope by sewing at least one second magnet cover layer around the edge of the second magnet, and the second magnet envelope is sewn onto the garment.
 9. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 7 wherein the first attachment body is enveloped by at least one first attachment body cover layer, the first attachment body cover layer is secured onto the detachable accessory, the second attachment body is enveloped by at least one second attachment body cover layer and the second attachment body cover layer is secured onto the detachable accessory.
 10. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 9 wherein the first magnet is secured within a first magnet envelope by sewing at least one first magnet cover layer around the edge of the first magnet, the first magnet envelope is sewn onto the garment, the first attachment body is secured within a first attachment body envelope by sewing at least one first attachment body cover layer around the edge of the first attachment body, the first attachment body envelope is sewn onto the detachable accessory, the second magnet is secured within a second magnet envelope by sewing at least one second magnet cover layer around the edge of the second magnet, the second magnet envelope is sewn onto the garment, the second attachment body is secured within a second attachment body envelope by sewing at least one second attachment body cover layer around the edge of the second attachment body, and the second attachment body envelope is sewn onto the detachable accessory.
 11. A garment with a detachable accessory, comprising: a first magnet enveloped by at least one first magnet cover layer; the first magnet cover layer secured onto the detachable accessory; a first attachment body secured onto the garment; and, the first attachment body capable of being magnetically attached to the first magnet.
 12. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 11 wherein the first magnet is secured within a first magnet envelope by sewing at least one first magnet cover layer around the edge of the first magnet, and the first magnet envelope is sewn onto the detachable accessory.
 13. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 11 wherein the first attachment body is enveloped by at least one first attachment body cover layer, and the first attachment body cover layer is secured onto the garment.
 14. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 13 wherein the first magnet is secured within a first magnet envelope by sewing at least one first magnet cover layer around the edge of the first magnet, the first magnet envelope is sewn onto the detachable accessory, the first attachment body is secured within a first attachment body envelope by sewing at least one first attachment body cover layer around the edge of the first attachment body, and the first attachment body envelope is sewn onto the garment.
 15. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 11, further comprising: a second magnet enveloped by at least one second magnet cover layer; the second magnet cover layer secured onto the detachable accessory; a second attachment body secured onto the garment; and, the second attachment body capable of being magnetically attached to the second magnet.
 16. A garment with a detachable accessory, comprising: a first magnet permanently secured onto the garment; a first magnet cover layer permanently secured onto the first magnet; a first attachment body secured onto the detachable accessory; and, the first attachment body capable of being magnetically attached to the first magnet.
 17. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 16 wherein the first attachment body is made of charged magnetic materials.
 18. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 17 wherein the first attachment body is permanently secured onto the detachable accessory, and a first cover layer is permanently secured onto the first attachment body.
 19. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 16, further comprising: a second magnet permanently secured onto the garment; a second magnet cover layer permanently secured onto the second magnet; a second attachment body secured onto the detachable accessory; and, the second attachment body capable of being magnetically attached to the second magnet.
 20. A garment with a detachable accessory of claim 19 wherein the second attachment body is permanently secured onto the detachable accessory, and a second cover layer is permanently secured onto the second attachment body. 